WASHINGTON — Changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program will allow women to have greater access for contracting opportunities at the federal level, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced.

The changes primarily concern the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, a new law that removes the anticipated award price of the contract thresholds for women-owned small businesses and economically disadvantaged women-owned businesses to allow them greater access to these contracting opportunities without limitations to the size of the contract.

Before the new law, the anticipated award price of the contract for women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses could not exceed $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts and $4 million for all other contracts.

The law also requires the SBA to conduct a study to identify and report industries underrepresented by women-owned small businesses. The SBA is working with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy under the President's Office of Management and Budget on the implementation, including changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

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Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Pardee UNC Health Care.

The event will take place in the main lobby off the Justice Street entrance.

Networking, refreshments, and a tour of the facility will be included in the event.

<p>OnTrack WNC Financial Education and Counseling Center announces its 2013 OnTrack Board of Directors Officers. They are: president, Dawn Starks, certified financial planner and owner, Starks Financial Group; vice president, Dawn Klug, clinical supervisor/senior account manager, Employee Assistance Network; treasurer, Heather Alley, an accountant with Dixon-Hughes, PLLC; secretary, Ty Moser, banking center manager, Asheville Savings Bank; and board member-at-large, Brad Blackburn, team leader, Private Bank, BB&T.</p><p>u</p><p>WASHINGTON — Changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program will allow women to have greater access for contracting opportunities at the federal level, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced.</p><p>The changes primarily concern the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, a new law that removes the anticipated award price of the contract thresholds for women-owned small businesses and economically disadvantaged women-owned businesses to allow them greater access to these contracting opportunities without limitations to the size of the contract.</p><p>Before the new law, the anticipated award price of the contract for women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses could not exceed $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts and $4 million for all other contracts. </p><p>The law also requires the SBA to conduct a study to identify and report industries underrepresented by women-owned small businesses. The SBA is working with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy under the President's Office of Management and Budget on the implementation, including changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulations. </p><p>u</p><p>Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Pardee UNC Health Care.</p><p>The event will take place in the main lobby off the Justice Street entrance. </p><p>Networking, refreshments, and a tour of the facility will be included in the event. </p><p>For more information or to RSVP, contact the Chamber at 828-692-1413. </p><p>Compiled by Leigh Kelley</p>